Questions tagged [wood]
For questions involving wood as a construction material, either as lumber or finished features of a home.
1,689
questions
1
vote
1
answer
51
views
Can I rebuild my deck on the existing posts if they're solid?
About the 4x4s holding up my porch deck which is 27 years old. The small deck in front of my front door is 9-10 feet high, with stairs up to it. The deck is 6x11, and made of cedar. The decking ...
- 11
0
votes
2
answers
50
views
Process for repairing flaking paint on fascia boards?
The paint on my fascia boards is starting to flake off, especially where different boards meet. I wanted to make sure the process I have in mind looks right:
Sand fascia boards w/ 120 grit
What kind ...
- 289
1
vote
1
answer
96
views
What is this pattern on old wood in my old house?
I live in an old house built in the 1950s. The basement is part unfinished and some of the ceiling boards have this weird black, spiderweb type pattern on it. What is this? Is it mold? If so are there ...
- 121
0
votes
1
answer
38
views
Do newel posts come in standard sizes?
A newel post in our house needs replacing, since it seems to have been badly abused by the previous owners.
Looking online, I couldn't find any that were the same size and shape as this one. The ...
- 303
3
votes
3
answers
944
views
What material are these cabinet doors made of? [closed]
Our home has cabinets that look like this. I was wondering if anyone recognizes the material this is? I'm assuming it's some hardwood plywood but I don't recognize the wood species.
- 183
1
vote
1
answer
71
views
How to fix this inconsistent overhang?
The plan for this "shelf" is to be made of plywood, overhang the drywall by 1/4", and be finished with iron-on edging. However, once I fitted it as best I could, I discovered that the ...
- 1,366
0
votes
1
answer
51
views
How to remove stain from wooden door?
I bought an intricately carved door from Turkey. The door is beautiful with light wood. However, they put an orange stain on it. I did not want stain. I wanted natural. It cannot be returned. How can ...
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
54
views
Fix shiny spot after fixing scratch with rubbing nut oil
My dining room table was scratched and my research said to try to fix this by rubbing a fresh nut into the scratch. Most guides said walnuts, but I had pecans and saw that people said to try that as ...
- 467
1
vote
2
answers
60
views
Aqaurium fish tank leveling
I have an aquarium I am trying to level on a garage floor. The flooring is concrete slab and aquarium is on a metal stand.
Since garages have a slope to them, my aqaurium is off on the left side by 2 ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
27
views
Fill Gap on sides to Existing Fireplace for Wood Heater [closed]
Looking for ideas or a solution. Wanting to fill in the gap on both sides of the existing Fireplace for when we install a wood heater. Have put the cardboard in place to see what the gap would look ...
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
72
views
Are there standard tolerances for dimensional lumber?
I understand that the actual dimensions of dimensional lumber are slightly smaller than their nominal dimensions, like how a 2x4 is actually 1½" x 3½". Are there industry standard tolerances ...
- 121
1
vote
1
answer
61
views
Advice on creating an acoustic ceiling
My living room has vaulted ceilings, but the acoustics are so poor that I am forced to wear headphones whenever I am in there. To improve the sound quality, I am planning to install an acoustic ...
- 23
8
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Can I support floating steps around a tree with protruding steel rods?
I want to install "floating" steps around a tree in a "spiral staircase" design up to a tree house. I will be milling the treads from a 10" diameter log. Each tread will be ...
2
votes
1
answer
94
views
What type of wood-boring insect cause this type of damage in a rafter?
I recently discovered the following damages in a rafter. Location is California.
What type of wood-boring insect cause this type of damage?
What are some treatments to stop the cause?
- 595
2
votes
0
answers
35
views
Should I treat my sill plate and rim joist before insulating?
Original 1943 construction with an unfinished full-height basement that I'm beginning the process of converting to habitable space. There are various signs of historical water damage on some of the ...
- 121
0
votes
3
answers
119
views
Where can I find ¾" x 2 ⅞" (~actual size) boards for window sill repair? Everything I find is ½" too long or too short!
I'm working on my parent's home in order to get it ready to sell, and one project involves repairing a few sills on windows where stray raindrops through open windows have caused the (abysmally cheap ...
10
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Chipped floor planks keep snagging my socks
In my home office, there are parts of the floor that seem to be chipped off.
Their pointy edges keep catching my socks when I walk by.
How would you solve this problem?
Ideally the solution would not ...
- 309
4
votes
8
answers
1k
views
How can I cut pine shelves to size?
I've ordered some custom pine shelves to fit into an alcove. Due to poor communication, they are 1-2 mm too long to fit.
What is the best way to cut them down to size? They're 5cm(~2") thick and ...
- 141
11
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How to modify a wooden fence to keep Nubian goats from extending their heads over and eating dwarf tree on the other side
We have a 4-ft (1.2 m) high fence (with a hog wire mesh) between our house yard and pasture.
I want to release Nubian goats into the pasture. But a Nubian will rear up, butt the front feet on the ...
- 233
0
votes
2
answers
91
views
Walnut butcher block. Uneven wall gap. Hate backsplash. Has to be other options? [closed]
House built in 50's. Concrete blocks on a slab. 800 square ft.
I bought two 8' walnut butcherblocks
Old counter was original ugly formica
9' 2"
Also bought kraus workstation sink that we will ...
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
156
views
How can I conceal poorly-fit floor boards around door jambs?
So the previous owner installed their own hardwood floors and there are no extra pieces left over. The cuts and installion around the door jambs are awful. There are significant gabs been the jambs ...
- 43
0
votes
1
answer
85
views
What's a good way to preserve my wood fence in Arizona sun while also letting it age?
I just had a new wood privacy fence installed and want to make sure I maintain it well. It's made of 1x6 spruce boards cut in 6ft lengths. The boards are set at an angle (letting some light into the ...
- 1
1
vote
0
answers
40
views
Mezzanine Floor
I want to install a mezzanine floor that will only be used as a play area for children. The span is 8.7 feet by 9.4 feet.
My plan is to fix 8" x 2" beam to 3 walls and then run 6" x 1.5&...
- 11
2
votes
3
answers
196
views
Floating desk strength
I have a built in floating desk in my new house which the previous owners installed. The desk I believe is made from MDF with 2 brackets holding it to the wall, also wood but not sure what type. The ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
519
views
Is this pressure treated wood safe? [closed]
I just heard that Pressure Treated wood is not safe and can increase the risk of cancer.
I am a DIYer, and very new to the field.
once I heard that I started googling and apparently there are ...
- 861
8
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Wall shelves, hooks, other wall-mounted things, without drilling? Double-sided tape maybe?
I have a bit of bare wall above my desk and I wish to utilise the space. Maybe put a couple of shelves up, and hooks and mounts for my game controllers, headphones, microphones, cameras and what not. ...
- 191
7
votes
2
answers
533
views
does it matter whether you fasten a post to another member vs fastening the other member to the post (when using a screw)?
I'm trying to understand some basic principles here so I can make better design decisions for the deck I'm building.
Suppose I want to fasten a 4x4 post to a joist/piece of blocking/beam/bottom side ...
- 107
0
votes
1
answer
78
views
Possible Mold under carpet [closed]
Recently, I noticed that there was something that looked like black mold under a carpet. I am 98% sure that it is not mold but the carpet padding is slowly falling apart. The carpet padding sits on a ...
- 351
2
votes
2
answers
95
views
How to fix woodpecker damage on wood siding?
A woodpecker has been busy while we were overseas, and has created the damage you can see
Assuming I figure out why he has been doing this (I believe is nesting reasons), my question is how can I fix ...
- 227
0
votes
1
answer
75
views
Staining Wood Filler
My dog absolutely trashed my garden doors and took some pretty sizeable chunks out of the wood.
I've filled and sanded the area and I've started staining it (one coat so far).
While the stain seems ...
- 177
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Wood glue + sawdust filler not drying
I made a wood filler using wood glue and sawdust to fill some stripped out holes in a shelf. The holes are maybe 3/8" x 1" deep so there was a fair amount to fill. Now it is a full 24 hours ...
- 279
1
vote
1
answer
70
views
Will wood posts or metal post spikes last longer?
My gardener wants to set 4x4" treated wooden posts in the ground to support a 6' high wooden fence.
To stop rot and make it easier to change posts, would it be OK to concrete metal post spikes ...
- 11
0
votes
2
answers
40
views
Vertical wood frame popped out
(Please forgive me if I am not using proper carpentry terms)
I recently noticed I have a vertical wood frame popped out. I am suspecting it is caused by thermal expansion. I can see these are vertical ...
7
votes
3
answers
848
views
Mounting a pull up bar that doesn't align with studs
I bought this pull-up bar ( https://trugrit-fitness.com/products/tru-grit-pull-up-bar-lite ) since it was on sale, but now I'm stumped on whether I am mounting it safely. Here is how I planned to ...
1
vote
2
answers
65
views
Hold wood while using sled
How can I hold down my wood when using the sled other than holding it with my hand?
I have this push stick. Maybe I can modify it to my needs?
- 908
2
votes
4
answers
124
views
How can I keep my wooden kitchen sink utility platform from slipping forward in the sink?
I could use some ideas on this.
This is a device I use to increase my counter space. It is coated in of 3 coats of Polyurethane. It is angled downward to drain off water.
I put things on it like bowls,...
- 908
1
vote
2
answers
139
views
Repair damage from dog scratching wooden door
I've recently moved from the city to the countryside and my dog is having a bit of trouble getting used to the shooting that happens near our house.
Unfortunately, while we were out yesterday he seems ...
- 177
0
votes
4
answers
106
views
How to make 1x2 lumber longer?
I want to DIY a 99x72 inches rectangle wood frame by 1x2 lumber. The frame is used to keep a pet's playpen in shape, so the dimension is kind of customized.
I found 1x2 lumber in 6 feet and 8 feet ...
- 37
0
votes
2
answers
41
views
How to connect self made wooden structure to metal bike frame [closed]
I have a bike with an extended frame in the back, being able to accommodate two small children. For this back section of the bike, I built a custom rain cover, for which I constructed a simple wooden ...
9
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How do I know whether a bookcase will rack/sag/twist if hung using butt hinges as a (non-secret) "door"?
I want to take a bookcase and install it as a door, to hold near 100kg max of heavy food items (but probably less than that most of the time). The bookcase itself is 36kg.
The bookcase carcass and ...
10
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How can I fix chips out of painted fiberboard crown moulding and baseboards?
I have a chip on my baseboards around a corner. Can it be fixed or is it better just to replace these pieces all together? All comments are appreciated thank you.
- 329
0
votes
2
answers
135
views
Fill in small cracks in my wood cutting board [closed]
I would like to fill in small cracks in my wood cutting boards.
The cracks are the ones seen from the pieces being attached to each other.
I would like to fill those cracks with a non-toxic wood glue.
...
- 908
1
vote
1
answer
52
views
How do I remove caulk from joints on a paneled door?
I salvaged an old 4-panel wooden interior door and painstakingly stripped off much of the paint with the goal of re-finishing it with oil. It looks as though a previous owner filled in all the joints ...
- 33
1
vote
1
answer
47
views
Pergola post wobble
I'm busy putting up a pergola. Today I've added 2 of the four posts and they feel quite wobbly..
Will this change once I started putting the structure together?
Will knee bracing assist greatly with ...
- 11
2
votes
3
answers
572
views
Can I use fine-thread drywall screws with wood framing?
Is it okay to use fine thread drywall screws when securing drywall to wood studs? What’s the worst that could happen if not?
- 51
7
votes
9
answers
5k
views
Why can't I drive a 12'' screw into 6x6 landscape timber?
I bought a set of 12" screws to drive through two 6x6 landscape timbers.
With my M18 Milwaukee Fuel impact driver I can start driving the screw, but it reaches to a point that I can't either ...
- 227
0
votes
0
answers
145
views
Green spots on wood. Is this mold? (pallet bed)
I've noticed greenish spots on my pallet bed. Is this mold or just some strange colouring?
There's no visible spores or "dust", but the mattress was right on top of that, so maybe there was ...
0
votes
4
answers
140
views
Cut grooves in plywood without using a router table
I want to cut grooves in a piece of 2x4.
I thought of using my table saw, but the cuts would be too narrow.
I have a router but no router table.
Is there a way to cut grooves without a router table?
I ...
- 908
1
vote
3
answers
107
views
How to remove rest of paint from wood beam
What is the best way to remove the remaining paint from this beam?
My goal is to remove all the paint and stain it so it matches the color of the door below it. So far I've chipped and sanded away ...
- 171
3
votes
2
answers
167
views
Can hardwood floors with heavy water staining be restored?
I’m interested in purchasing an older home and the home I’m mostly interested in has its original hardwood floors but the kitchen shows some damage.
I imagine they’re water damaged. The stains are ...
- 31